Cub Tracks Doesn't Give Up

What I really want to know about penguins sneezing is this: Do they look up at the sun when they do it? Because that gets me every single time.

From Comcast SportsNet Chicago:

• Even with Kris Bryant and Addison Russell in camp, C.J. Edwards is a pretty big name himself.
• Bryant has impressed Joe Maddon with his ability to be good "in the right way."
• Maddon wants to see the young players not just play for a chance to make the big club, but instead play to win.  In that regard, he hopes that the newly acquired veterans on the team will make that message easier to relate.
• Edwin Jackson hasn't given up on the final spot in the rotation, a spot that has a lot less competition than it did a week ago. (Also covered by Cubs.com and the Chicago Sun-Times.)
• Jason Hammel said that the reason for his subpar start on Thursday was due to a lack of feel for his pitches, but he expects that feel to come back as Spring Training rolls on.

From Cubs.com:

• Chris Denorfia has one major reason why he signed with the Cubs: He's hoping to get that first postseason appearance that has eluded him twice before.
• Addison Russell reflected on his trade to the Cubs, admitting that he was "a little shocked and more confused than anything" when it happened.
• Jake Arrieta accomplished a mission in his start on Friday, that mission being to not use his changeup.
• Kris Bryant describes playing at Cashman Field in his hometown of Las Vegas as a surreal experience.

From ESPN Chicago:

• Jesse Rogers gives his analysis of major storylines in camp so far in Spring Training.
• It's time for five questions with... Jake Arrieta!

From CBS Chicago:

• Bruce Levine writes that the value of David Ross goes beyond his perceived role as primary catcher for Jon Lester.
• Levine also gets the sense of a man driving himself beyond normal limits when watching Jake Arrieta in Spring Training.
• The annual toast to Harry Caray at his steakhouse on Kinzie Street took on a different tone this year with the loss of Ernie Banks and Minnie Minoso.

From the Chicago Tribune via RedEye Chicago:

• Mark Gonzales writes about the deep bond that Kris Bryant has fostered with his community in Las Vegas.
• [VIDEO] Bryant spoke about his shoulder soreness and the two homers he hit on Saturday. Don't panic; he's not worried about his shoulder.
• Paul Sullivan seems to be very interested in whether or not Theo Epstein is in talks about an extension. Oh, and things about how Epstein is trying to downplay the hype surrounding the Cubs this season.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

• Rick Telander talks of how Theo Esptein's "natural connection" to the game began when he was just two years old.

From Cubs Den:

• John Arguello is moving to Arizona and he has his list of 16 players he's looking forward to seeing in extended spring training when he gets there.

From Bleacher Nation:

• Will the Padres pursue Welington Castillo after losing their backup catcher Tim Federowicz to a knee injury? Bob Nightengale thinks it's a possibility, but Brett Taylor thinks that it's a stretch.

From Cubs Insider:

• With the Cubs currently in Las Vegas, Evan Altman takes a look at some of the prop bets currently available for the Cubs and for specific players.

Miscellaneous:

• Some thoughts on Kris Bryant and the service-time issue from former big-league player C.J. Nitkowski.

Today's food for thought: